WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved the calendar for the 2024 – 25 school year.
The first day of school for students will be Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, and the last day will be Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Students will be off for winter break between Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
A school board member said this change will allow students to take exams ahead of their winter break.
One WS/FCS parent said she favors the change.
"It allows them to actually enjoy their break. It also allows them to hit the ground running in January for their spring classes instead of having to spend time reviewing or taking any learning loss that may have happened over the break," Alicia Salazar said.
One WS/FCS parent said she wishes the school board changed the start dates.
"We're going to miss out on our family vacation that was booked the week of Aug. 10 through the 17," Kristina Pladna said, "She has to meet her teacher and classmates, and I would hate for her to miss out on that."
A school board member said the decision was made with the student's best interests in mind.
"I was happy to vote in favor of adjusting the calendar because there were a lot of people who were in favor of this change. Even those who wished they had some additional time to consider disagree with the timing of the change. I think this is something our community supports," WS/FCS Board Vice Chair Alex Bohanon said.
He said a survey was sent out and about 2,500 parents responded.
Keep in mind, that the school district has about 53,000 students. One school board member said he did not vote in favor of the calendar update and hopes to push it back a year.
"I would like to make it effective for the 2025-2026 school year. I think we would get a more positive and affirmative response," WS/FCS Board Member Steve Wood said.
This calendar change does not comply with state law which states districts' start dates cannot be any earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26. It also states end dates can be no later than the Friday closest to June 11.
WFMY News 2 reached out to a state representative to get their thoughts on the calendar change.
Last night, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved the academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year. Unfortunately, the chosen start date does not comply with S.L. 2012-145, having the school year run from August 12 to May 20. I am confident that Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools can come to an amicable decision that both satisfies requirements set by S.L. 2012-145 and the priorities of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board, parents, and staff.
-Representative Kanika Brown (D) North Carolina House District 71:
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